Three geologists died on March 9 after becoming trapped deep underground in ICL Iberia’s Cabanasses de Súria potash mine, approximately 80 kilometers from Barcelona, local media reported. The Catalan fire brigade was called to the scene at 8:53 a.m. local time.
The three men were reportedly some 900 meters underground when a tunnel collapsed. According to a Euronews report, citing a mine employee, the collapsed section was only built “a few days ago.”
The three men were Spanish nationals, and two of them were post-graduate students at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia’s Manresa engineering school, according to Euronews, citing ICL officials.
A similar accident at the mine claimed two lives in 2013. The regional government is undertaking an investigation, and a judicial probe has also been opened.
Tel Aviv-based ICL Group Ltd., which owns the Spanish mining operation, said there had been an “unfortunate underground accident” in a statement released before the deaths were announced. The company had not responded to Green Markets inquiries for further comment by press time.